Millions defy Tube strike to crawl to work: Heaving platforms, closed stations and packed buses as RMT members walk out

An Olympic task: Commuters in Stratford peek out of teeming carriages as they wait to leave (Picture: PA)

Commuters across London struggled into work yesterday as a Tube strike caused severe disruption across the city.

They were forced to negotiate rammed platforms and pile on to buses as closed stations and infrequent trains blighted their rush-hour journeys.

Police were called to control large crowds at busy main line stations such as King’s Cross, Waterloo and Stratford.

Transport for London said it was able to run a service at 50 per cent capacity – slightly more than during the last walkout in February – because more staff had turned up than expected.

But the striking RMT union accused TfL of exaggeration and said nearly 10,000 of its members had taken part.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: ‘I apologise for the disruption the strike has caused people but I am impressed by the fighting spirit Londoners have shown in getting to work. I thank them for their patience.’

Similar disruption is expected today. Although the strike ends at 9pm, trains may not return to normal until tomorrow.

TfL and the RMT are in a row over plans to close 260 Tube ticket offices. If no agreement is reached, a 72-hour walkout will begin next Monday.

The move is part of plans to ‘modernise’ the Tube, saving £50million a year and making staff more visible at stations.

Nearly 8,000 buses were in service yesterday, the largest-ever number in London.

An extra 266 vehicles hit the roads, including several vintage Routemasters which date back to the 1940s.

A spokesman for the RMT told Metro: ‘We don’t create statistics but the general picture we’ve been getting from our members on the ground is that it’s been a skeleton service.

‘TfL has been playing fast and loose with safety with too many people crowded on platforms.’

But the managing director of LU, Mike Brown, disagreed and said: ‘London has continued to work and remain open for business in the face of this pointless RMT strike.’